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Early, Early Christmas
By Veronica Nadlin ‘10
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It is November 11th. I am sitting in Barnes and Noble writing research papers, sipping my Mocha frappachino when I notice that I am being assaulted by Charlotte Church’s Christmas album and The Beach Boy’s album as well. Why are they playing Christmas music? I am irked and disappointed in my favorite store. I realize that there are no Thanksgiving carols, but still—what happened to holiday identities? Why are there carols on the loudspeakers when Christmas is over one month away?

At least it is not as bad as commercial retailers such as Wal-Mart, which had Christmas decorations up at the same time as Halloween decorations back in September. Am I the only one disturbed by seeing a skeleton next to Santa Claus?

However, national chains are not the only perpetrators promoting Christmas long before the holiday arrives. The Book Shop is also a culprit. The day before Halloween, the Book Shop and the Café had Christmas trees up, adorned with various gifts we as students could buy for family and friends.

Shocked, I asked one of the ladies at the Book Shop about it and she gave me a look that suggested I was crazy. They set up their displays early in order to “compete” with major retailers like Wal-Mart. I personally do not understand this because Sweet Briar has at most 700 people on campus, while Wal-Mart has about a few million.

Talking to my parents, I came to learn that once upon a time, the Christmas season did not begin until after Thanksgiving, i.e. Black Friday. Holidays used to have their own seasonal identities, but now, thanks to commercialization, the Christmas ‘season’ spans over a fourth of the entire year. That’s more than any of the actual seasons get.

This commercialization detracts from the excitement of the actual holiday season. Before long, ‘Christmas in July’ will become a reality outside the Hallmark ornament show. As Natalie Pye ‘07 says, “I do not want to see Santa while I am wearing a tank top and shorts.” Too true.

Also, the pressure of finding the perfect gift has become too much to handle. The winter holidays are about spending time with loved ones, not spending a fortune on a gift that will make someone happy for a few weeks. In the past few years, desperate parents have actually risked their lives to procure the latest designer toy—attempts to get a Beanie Baby, Tickle-Me-Elmo, or Furby have actually caused deaths in the past.

It is up to us to fight back against major corporations ruining the holidays and to keep the true message of Christmas alive. Do not give in!

But, of course, as this article will be printed in December, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!